Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

A deepening of mutual understanding between Nigeria and the BBC World Service is critical to a more informed society, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said. He spoke during a working visit to the British Broadcasting Corporation headquarters in London. Idris’s visit to the BBC is part of a bridge-building and cooperation efforts between Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and foreign and local media houses. At a meeting with the BBC’s top management, headed by Mr Jonathan Munro, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the BBC News and Director of the BBC World Service,…

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has decried the spate of security threats in Africa and its implications for the continent’s development. The Minister expressed this concern while speaking at the Ministerial Meeting of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) held from August 24th to 25th, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. He said that Africa’s security and development landscape is increasingly witnessing complex threats in the form of terrorism and transnational organized crimes, noting that these vices are destabilising Africa’s peace and security architecture, undermining the pursuit of democracy and good governance, and disincentivising foreign direct investors from…

The First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu and the Wives of state Governors on Tuesday, 27 August, 2024 signed an agreement to tackle Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and harmful social practices against women in Nigeria. The agreement was signed in Abuja at the maiden edition of Gender and Social Norms Summit 2024 organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Renewed Hope initiative in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady. In her keynote address, the First Lady said that the prevalence of harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child marriage, which in some cases leads…

Approximately $300 million is needed over the next five years to initiate programmes aimed at building peace in West Africa sub-region. This is the exact sum that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Peace Fund needs to generate to be able to implement its peace initiatives for the region. ECOWAS has already put in place a five year Peace Fund (EPF) strategic plan, covering the period of 2021 to 2025. Consequently, EPF organised a meeting with partners and other stakeholders in Abuja to fashion a wayforward. According to the bloc, the practical implementation of the ECOWAS Peace Fund…

Europe Union (EU) has insisted that democratic governance remains the best way of uplifting Nigeria. This was the parting words of the outgoing Europe Union Head of Delegations to Nigeria and West Africa, Samuela Isopi who is departing the country after four years stay in the country. Speaking at a farewell programme organised by the EU Monday night, Isopi also said Nigeria remains Africa’s leader in the area of innovation. She said the EU was proud to invest significantly in the transformative power of Nigerian self-determination, stating that on a personal note she remains “particularly proud and grateful for our…

Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have arrested the Ward Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ejemekwuru Oguta LGA in the state, Dominic Ikpeama for allegedly selling the federal government’s palliatives meant for the people of Ejemekwuru autonomous community. Ikpeama, it was gathered, was arrested by the Oguta Divisional headquarters following a petition against him by the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Eze Hypolite Obinna Duru, who alleged that the politician sold twenty bags of corn and five bags of garri meant for the community. The monarch said the action was a ploy to sabotage the efforts…

By Lizzy Okoji Since his appointment as Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu has emerged as a source of optimism for Nigeria’s steel industry, leveraging his deep understanding and skill to revitalise the sector. Undoubtedly, the ex-investment banker, politician, and son of the late political icon who was the first and second civilian governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu; has injected new life and a fresh thinking into Nigeria’s steel industry, sparking optimism for a more promising future. Tasked with the responsibility of reviving and repositioning the Nigerian steel industry under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed…

A socio-cultural group in Lagos, the Osolo Dignity has condemned allegations against the leader of the Screening Committee for the Selection of the new traditional ruler for Isolo town, Dr Mukail Agbabiaka, by a poet with tjw pseudo name, Aiyekooto. In a viral audio poetry recording, Aiyekooto has levied many allegations against Dr Agbabiaka, mostly among which bothers on corruption. Reacting to the viral audio being circulated on the Social Media, Osolo Dignity described the publication as not only malicious and baseless but was also defamatory. Reacting via a statement signed by Olaniyi Toheeb Aregbesola on behalf of Concerned Indigenes…

By Moses Owopade, Accra A leading pan-Africanist, Ras Caleb Appiah-Levi and Founding President of PanAfrica-Ghana (PAG) has called on African Leaders to revive and ensure the implementation of the vision of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Ras Appiah-Levi, a renowned musician who has been championing the vision told thegazellenews.com in Accra that, he was at a meeting of African Leaders at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in April 2024 where he declared that the only way forward to addressing the many challenges facing the Continent is for the leaders to recognise that until Africans see…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has joined the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, and other dignitaries, associates, and family members in attending the funeral of Alhaji Ahmed Ali Ahmed, Zulum’s late commissioner for finance and economic development, on Monday, 26 August, 2024, in Maiduguri. The funeral prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Borno, Imam Laisu Ibrahim. Ahmed died in his sleep on Monday, 26 August, 2024, at his residence in Maiduguri at the age of 42, leaving behind two children, a wife, an aged mother, and many brothers and sisters. Until his death, he was Borno’s Commissioner for Finance…

In line with its strategic vision to be a dynamic and reliable global energy supplier of choice, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has commenced shipment of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) cargoes to Japan and China on Delivered Ex-Ship (DES) basis. NNPC Ltd achieved the milestone through the collaboration of two of its Downstream subsidiaries – NNPC LNG Ltd and NNPC Shipping Ltd – which delivered its first DES LNG cargo from the 174,000m³ LNG vessel Grazyna Gesicka at Futtsu, Japan, on 27th June, 2024. Since then, it has expanded its footprint to China with the delivery of one…

First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) has partnered with National Population Commission, NPC and United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF to further ramp up birth registration in the country with the launch of UNICEF/ RHI Commemorative Birth Certificate for year 2024. NPC Chairman, Hon Nasir Isa Kwarra who disclosed this after leading development partners to the Office of the First Lady in Abuja, said the commemorative event, scheduled for Thursday, 29 August, 2024 will mark a major leap in government’s effort to offer Nigerian children their first foundational identity. “It is a global thing…

By Iysa Ade Bello Most pre-eminent is our profound thanks to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for deeming us suitable for what I reckon as historic assignment. It is historic because here we are to do harmonious collaboration to conscientiously provide leadership for the citadel of learning established to shape the future of our beloved youngsters. I personally feel humbled and honored to chair this inaugural meeting of the newly constituted council of the esteemed university. It is a pivotal moment for us to commence collective charting of the course of this institution into a future of excellence, relevance, and global…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has urged religious leaders to ensure peaceful co-existence among the adherents of different religions in the state. The Governor gave the admonition on Sunday, 25 August, 2024, during the turbaning and installation ceremony of the new Chief Imam of Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state, Sheikh Quasim Badejo, at the playground of the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo palace. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, Governor Abiodun assured that his administration was poised to work with religious stakeholders towards promoting peace and tranquility, as well as consolidating the…

Separatist militants launched deadly attacks across southwestern Pakistan on Monday, 26 August, 2024 killing at least 39 people in a series of “coordinated” assaults, primarily targeting ethnic Punjabis. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the most active militant separatist group in the province, claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement released to AFP. One of the deadliest incidents occurred on a highway in Balochistan province, where militants stopped vehicles and shot 23 people dead, marking one of the worst shootings in the region in recent years. Shahid Rind, a spokesman for the Balochistan provincial government, confirmed the coordinated nature of…

A former England Manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson, is dead. Eriksson’s family confirmed his death on Monday, 26 August, 2024 in a terse statement. “Sven-Goran Eriksson has passed away,” the statement read. “After a long illness, SGE died during the morning at home surrounded by family.” The 76-year-old had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. At the beginning of 2024, the Swede revealed he only had a year to live “at best”. During his career, Eriksson managed top European clubs like Benfica, Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Lazio.

 A 45-year-old man, Aramide Tito, was on Monday, 26 August, 2024 docked in a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court  presided over Mr A J Aina,  for allegedly starving and assaulting his 11-year-old stepson.The defendant, whose address was not given, is charged with indecent deal, assault and attempted murder. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The prosecutor, ASP Clément Okuoimose, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on 17 August 17, 2024 at about 11.00.p.m, at Oke Ogbe Area, Atura, Badagry, Lagos. Okuoimose alleged that the defendant unlawfully beat up and starved his son’s stepson for three days. “The defendant…

 Operatives of the Osun State Amotekun Corps  have arrested a 35 year-old man over alleged defilement of a 10 –year- old girl, thegazellenews.com reports. It was gathered that Ibrahim allegedly defiled the girl, whose name has been withheld, in Agba, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State. Ibrahim was arrested after the girl’s mother lodged a complaint at the Amotekun Boripe Command. The Osun State Amotekun Corps Commander, CSP Isaac Omoyele (rtd), confirmed the arrest in a statement issued to newsmen on Monday, 26 August, 2024. Omoyele, who revealed that Ibrahim allegedly lured the girl into his residence, where he forcefully had carnal…

Famous New Zealander-Nigerian mixed martial artist Israel Adesanya has claimed that the majority of Lagos women are “runs girls” (local parlance for call girls). According to Adesanya, they like showing off but their lifestyles are being financed by proceeds of prostitutes. The former UFC Welterweight Champion, who stated this in a video message shared via his X handle on Monday, 26 August, 2024, urged them to be nice and friendly instead of showing off. Speaking in a mixture of English and Yoruba, Adesanya said, “Lagos women love showing off. Most of you are runs girls, kobo kobo, ashewo. “You keep posing…

Popular Nigerian music star , Habeebs Okikiola, popularly known as Portable will on the 11th of September 2023, be the guest musician at the coming Ogun Festival in Ondo city in Ondo State. Portable, who will be entertaining the people of the city at White Rock hotel, has promised to give the expected audience a dose of his electrifying performance that has kept him relevant in the Nigeria music industry. It is well known that Ogun Festival has always been a grand event, that draws indigenes and foreigners alike to the city. The excitement of the celebration is what prompted…